Meet the Nuts & Bolts of Fishing Pro Staff

Great adventures on the water begin with great charter guides. And booking your trip with a Nuts & Bolts Pro Staffer insures you'll have a fun, safe and fishy day. We've fished with all the guides listed here, and they are definitely the cream of the crop. So pick your destination, contact one of these Pro's, and have a fantastic time!

GEORGIA

Henry Cowen - Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona, Chattahoochee River

Atlanta, GA

Every day on the water with Henry is an awesome adventure. He is the consummate fly fisherman, and a superb fly fishing instructor. But he's equally at home with a spinning or casting rod. Henry guides on Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona, and the Chattahoochee river fishing for bass, stripers, and trout. And in the summertime, one of his specialties is fly fishing for carp on the shallow flats of the Chattahoochee. It's as close to fishing for redfish or bonefish as it gets! Henry's down home charm and great sense of humor will make a trip with him one you'll remember forever.

Capt. Mack Farr - Lake Lanier and Carrabelle, FL

Buford, GA

When it comes to fishing guides on Lake Lanier, GA, Capt. Mack Farr is one of the best. His credentials speak for themselves. Mack has been fishing professionally since 1982. His 300 days on the lake annually provide him with the knowledge and skills to make your trip successful and enjoyable. Whether you are a seasoned pro or novice angler, you will enjoy fishing with Mack on Georgia’s Lake Sydney Lanier — one of the nation’s premier striper fisheries.

Capt. Mark Noble - Inshore and Offshore St. Simons Island

St. Simons Island, GA

Mark grew up on St. Simons Island and spent many of his early years exploring and fishing the vast estuary system that engulfs these Islands. He has devoted his life to fishing and anyone who has fished around here knows that he has the best reputation for catching fish.... "especially when no one else can". He has always encouraged family outings with children so they could share some of the memories and excitement he had during his younger years. If you're planning a trip to St. Simons and would like to have your family experience a great fishing trip then contact Capt. Mark.

Capt. Judy Helmey - Inshore & Offshore Savannah, GA

Capt. Judy Helmey runs one of the most successful and most popular charter operations in the Savannah GA area. Most days will find her at the helm of the Miss Judy Too, taking a group of anglers on an awesome offshore fishing adventure. But Miss Judy Charters also coordinates inshore and nearshore fishing trips. So whether you want to pursue speckled trout, redfish and flounder in the beautiful Savannah backwaters or head offshore to battle bluewater beasts, Miss Judy Charters can make it happen.

Capt. Mark Smith - Lake Oconee

Lake Oconee, GA

Capt. Mark Smith has been fishing Lake Oconee for over 30 years, and he's been striper fishing almost exclusively for the past 10 years. Every day on the water I learn something new about catching these beautiful fish. Stripers grow fast and they grow big. Their cousins the hybrid bass are also found in Lake Oconee, and they are some of the strongest fish that swim in fresh water. Lake Oconee is a fun lake to fish and the stripers are growing bigger every day. It would be my pleasure to take you and your party out for a day of fishing on beautiful Lake Oconee. Give me a call and let’s go fishing

Jimmy Harris - Chattahoochee River, North GA Mountains

The north Georgia mountains are home to some of the best trout waters around, and the fishing is comparable or actually superior to some of the streams found out west. Unicoi Outfitters manages and maintains significant stretches of pristine trout waters just a couple hours north of Atlanta in the Helen and Blue Ridge, GA areas. The Unicoi Outfitters Fly Shops offer premium fly fishing tackle and gear, plus they have a full staff of river guides to make your day on their streams something you'll never forget.

Paul "Coach" Bagby - Custom Rod Builder

Coach's Custom Rods

Dalton, GA

Coach has a knack for fishing, whether he's chasing big bass on southeastern lakes, or offshore in pursuit of saltwater monsters. And he knows having the right kind of fishing rod is key to accurate casting and getting fish to the boat. Coach is one of the country's top custom rod builders and each rod he builds is constructed from the highest quality components...specifically designed for the way you fish.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Capt. Dan Utley - Inshore & Nearshore Fishing, Hilton Head Island

Captain Dan Utley is a 30+ year veteran fishing the near shore and inshore waters surrounding Hilton Head Island, SC, and is a licensed Coast Guard Captain. Redfish are his specialty, but during the correct season the Fishin’ Coach loves to pursue Cobia, Tarpon and other large predatory species like sharks...big sharks.

Fishing techniques range from using dead or live baits on spinning and conventional tackle to artificials and sight fishing with Fly Gear. Techniques vary with the season, tides and weather. Trips are planned ahead of time combining the knowledge and experience of Captain Dan and the interest of clients.

Inshore Fishing is done out of a 22′ Century Bay Boat with a wrap-around deck that makes for easy maneuvering for several people. New this winter is a custom T-top with a sighting platform to help spot Redfish and surface cruising Cobia, plus some needed shade for the hot summer months.

Having spent 30 years teaching and coaching, Captain Dan has plenty of patience to “Coach Up” the beginning angler, and lots of savvy to challenge the experienced angler

Capt. John Koonce - Inshore & Nearshore Fishing, Charleston

Capt. John Boy Koonce is a north Carolina native but has been living in Charleston for 11 years. His passion for fishing and entertaining clients got him in the charter fishing business. His easy-going approach with clients and contemporary knowledge of where the fish are makes Capt. John Boy one of the most reputable guides in the Charleston area. He was born with a knack to catch fish, and is eager to share his talents with the folks who fish with him and his chocolate lab, Jesse.

Capt. Jeremy Espiritu - Inshore & Nearshore Fishing, Charleston

Capt. Ethan Frye - Inshore & Nearshore Fishing, Charleston

Capt. Ethan Frye, owner/operator of Angler Management inshore/nearshore charters was raised in Charleston and has been fishing the area for over 35 years. He specializes in light tackle and fishes for redfish, seatrout, flounder, mackerel, sharks and much more. My goal is to offer you, the angler, a safe, fun and productive day on the water. Whether you're a first timer or a professional, if you have a passion for being on the water like I do come spend a fantastic day on the water with Angler Management.

Capt. Wiley Horton - Offshore Fishing, Steinhatchee & Daytona Beach

Capt. Billy McFadden - Offshore Fishing, Fernandina Beach

Louie Echols - Nuts & Bolts Junior Pro Staff

Louie is the first Junior Pro Staffer for Nuts & Bolts of Fishing and has earned a reputation for catching Big Fish in south Florida. He's working his way to the big time, participating (and placing) in numerous tournaments. Keep your eye on Lunker Louie because he is on the fast track to becoming a contender in the big leagues.